Surface Sediments Pollution Around Small Shipwrecks (Munin and Abille) in the Gulf of Gdańsk: Magnetic and Heavy Metals Study

Abstract

Heavy metal contents in sediments from the vicinity of small shipwrecks (Munin and Abille) in the Gulf of Gdańsk and their relationship with mass magnetic susceptibility (χ) were investigated. The values of χ are not very high, however they reveal significant differences between investigated sites. Magnetic susceptibility values vary from 5.33 to 8.02 × 10−8 m3/kg for Abille and from 3.07 × 10−8 m3/kg to 12.92 × 10−8 m3/kg for Munin. It is mainly carried by fraction <0.1 mm in the case of Abille, whereas for Munin χ for <0.1 mm shows different distribution of values. Organic matter content is in the range of 1.60–18.86%, which is characteristic for this area. The concentration of heavy metals is relatively small, as in the case of χ. The relationship amongst analysed heavy metals is strong, but between PLI, LOI and χ is weak. Generally sediments around Munin wreck demonstrate the strong correlation of mass magnetic susceptibility with toxic elements. This is the result of the shipwrecks location and hydrodynamic conditions of this area. The low heavy metal concentration and χ values indicate low level of contamination around both wrecks.

Notes

Acknowledgements

The publication has been partially financed from the funds of the Leading National Research Centre (KNOW) received by the Centre for Polar Studies for the period 2014–2018. The authors would like to thank Dr. P. Szwarczewski for IPC-MS and LOI analyses.